Faces in the Crowd - 2011

Forecast Pictures, Frantic Films Live Action Productions, Minds Eye Entertainment

Written and Directed by Julian Magnat

Cast:

• Anna Marchant – Milla Jovovich
• Sam Kerrest – Julian McMahon
• Lanyon – David Atrakchi
• Bryce – Michael Shanks
• Dr. Langenkamp – Marianne Faithfull
• Francine – Sally Wayne Callies
• Nina – Valentina Vargas

Story: Anna Marchant is on her way home from a night out with her girlfriends when she witnesses the murder of a young woman. The killer, a serial killer nicknamed the “Tear Jerker” because his tears have been found on all his victims, comes after her, and in the ensuing struggle she is knocked off the bridge into the water, violently striking her head on the way down. The impact has left her with a rare condition, she is unable to remember anyone's face, including the face of the man who attacked her. Sam Kerrest, the police detective who is assigned to the case, must try to protect her from the unknown assailant, and in the process, is falling in love with her. Anna must cope with the condition, which causes her to be suspended from her job, since she cannot remember the faces of the children, and loses her relationship with Bryce. When one of her closest friends is murdered, almost in front of her, Sam realizes the killer is near, and takes her away to the island where he grew up as a boy. When they return to the city, Sam realizes who the killer is, and in the end, the cost to save Anna is high.

Review: Milla Jovovich as the victim? Wow, after all the films where she kicks butts and takes names, this is an interesting change, and one that seems to work well. While there is the mandatory nudity of a Milla Jovovich movie (let's face it, the lady is beautiful), I found most of the scenes to be unnecessary to the plot. Milla does a good job of portraying Anna, and her emotions are direct and correct for the scene she is in. Julian McMahon is equally good, so the two combine to make a credible match up in this low key story about the hunt for a serial killer. The photography is excellent and the script is average, so the overall feel of the show is more suited for the small screen than the big screen, which is why this started out in Turkey and went to DVD release in the US. While I doubt there will be a big following for this film, fans of Milla will enjoy it, as will fans of Julian McMahon, who enjoys a modicum of interest from his fans from NIP TUCK and CHARMED. (Wouldn't count on a lot of fans of DR. DOOM, Julian, that movie missed the mark among us comic book, er, graphic novel, fans. Rated R for violence and sexuality, this is a film you can pass on or not, depending on your taste for melodrama. Nothing to write home about, but certainly nothing to dismiss out of hand. Rent it and put it back on the shelf.